These five groups will share $1.1M in London Community Foundation grants

One of London’s largest community philanthropic groups has announced the five recipients sharing in its $1.1 million 2023 Community Vitality Grants. “These projects exemplify our shared vision of building a community that values ​​diversity, ensures equal opportunities and empowers all individuals,” said Lori Runciman of the London Community Foundation. The recipients are:

The community-led land protection agency will receive $325,000 over three years to work with 5,000 local landowners to establish 18 new conservation easement agreements. The agreements allow landowners to voluntarily protect their natural environments and agricultural lands under the Ontario Conservation Land Act. The project will protect more than 1,000 acres and create a new part-time staff position.

The Unity Project will receive $270,000 over three years amid an increase in demand for its services since the pandemic. The grant will support its indoor and outdoor emergency shelter program as it moves to new facilities. It will also help the organization create an all-gender shelter. Some of the money will go to assessing whether pallet cabins – quick-to-build shelters made from recycled shipping pallets – are effective and safe as emergency shelters.

The Letters, Sounds and Words program will receive $65,000 over two years for materials aimed at helping children learn to read and gain early literacy skills. The program provides one-on-one instruction for children who need extra practice with reading fundamentals.

He will receive $200,000 over two years for the non-profit Resiliency Project to support low-income non-profit organizations in London and Middlesex County that provide housing to vulnerable people. The grant will enable building walkthroughs, the creation of sustainability reports, and retrofit projects. It will also fund training and workshops.

Sakeenah’s local shelter and remote services program will receive $245,593 over two years to establish sustainable long-term funding for its operations. The agency provides support and services to women and children from diverse backgrounds who require safety and support.